Flush latch construction



Feb. 24, 1959 B. w. HENRlcl-ls 2,874,986

' FLUSH LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. l24, 1956 2 sheeheet 1 M T Arron/5v5 BY A Feb. 24, 1959 B. W. HENRlcl-ls 2,874,986

FLUSH LATCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 24, 195e 2 sheets-sheet 2 2,874,986 FLUSH LATCH lcorIsriuicrioN herard W. Henrichs, Northridge, Calif., assignor to Clark Hartwell, doing business as Hartwell Aviation Supply Company, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 24, 1956, Serial No. 630,143

9 Claims. (Cl. 292--167) This invention relates to hush latch constructions, and included in the objects of this invention are:

` First, to provide a hush latch including a marginally hangedA body structure and a complementary escutcheon plate adapted to clamp opposite sides of a door or panel, the body structure having a latch mechanism therein including a handle arranged to occupy a flush position when the latch is closed.

Second, to provide a latch of this class which is particularly simple to install.

Third, to provide a latch of this class which may be adapted to doors or panels Vof dierent thickness by adjustment and choice of length of the connecting means between the body structure and the escutcheon plate.

Withthe above and other objects in View, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure `l is an outside view of the flush latch with the surrounding door and frame in which it is mounted shown fragmentarily;

` Fig. 2l is a side viewof the flush latch and keeper with the keeper and latch separated;

Fig.` 3 is an elevational view of the latch and keeper shown from theA inside of the door or panel with portions of` the keeper plate broken away to illustrate the latch mechanism;

Fig; 4 is a longitudinal sectional view Vthrough d--4 oi Fig. 3, showing the latch in its closed position;

l Fig. 5 is a similar longitudinal sectional View with the latch shown in its openpositiou with the bolt retracted;

Fig". 6 is a partial sectional, partial side elevational view ,ofa modified latch construction taken through 6 6 oi` Fig. 7`; l

Fig. 7`is a bottom View of the modied latch constructionwith a portion of the cover plate removed;

, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof similar to Fig. 6, showing the` modified latch in its released positiol,

p Reference is iirst directed to Figs. l to 5. The latch herein illustrated includes a body structure or member 1 comprising a mounting plate 2 having a rectangular handle slot 3 therein. The longitudinal sides of the handle slot 3 are bordered at the inner side of the plate 2 by a pair of longitudinally extending ribs 4. The ribs terminate `short of one end of the slot and protrude beyond the other end thereof to the extremity of the body member 1. The protruding ends are of greater thickness andpartially overlie'the end of the slot 3. The end portions define a channel which forms a bolt guide 5.

At the end of `the handle slot 3 remote from the bolt guide 5 a supporting post 6 extends from the mounting plate 2. The ribs 4 and supporting post 6 support a cover plate 7 which is secured thereto by screws 8.

The body member 1 is intended to be mounted in a door or panel, or other structure, by cutting into such doot from one` edge a slot to accommodate the ribs 4 and supporting post 6. The margins of the mounting plate 2` and coverplate 7 overlie the margins of the slot.

atent ice The spacing between the mounting plate 2 and cover plate 7 depends upon the thickness of the door or the like, and screws S of appropriate length are selected. It order to anchor the body structure 1 in place, the mar'- ginal portion of the mounting plate 2 is provided with prongs 9 which are forced into the surface of the door or the like.

Slidably mounted in the bolt guide 5 is a bolt 10 formed of sheet material and bent channel-shaped to form a web 11 and side flanges 12. The web protrudes beyond the side flanges and is folded over the ends there-I oi to form a cam lip 13. The cam lip and adjacent end` of the web 11 form the protruding or locking end of the bolt 10.

The side flanges 12 are provided in the region opposite the bolt guide portion S of the ribs 4 with longitudinal `slots 14. A guide pin 15 extends transversely through the ribs 4 and the slots 14.

The side anges 12 extend rearwardly from the cam lip 13 into the space betweenthe longitudinal ribs 4, and are connected by a transversely extending guide pin 16 which projects laterally from the side flanges 12, terminating in ends which slide in a pair of slots 17 formed inl the longitudinal ribs 4. The guide pins and their slots together with the channel-shaped bolt guide S serve to restrain thebolt lil to limited longitudinal movement. A` spring 18 extends between the guide pins 15 and 16 and tends to hold the bolt in its extended or locking position.

The handle slot 3 receives a handle lever 19 in the form of a flat plate which completely iills the slot. The handle plate `19 is provided with ears 20 which project inwardly between the ribs d at their ends remote from the bolt guide 5. The ears Ztl are provided with slots 21 extending from the handle lever inwardly, substan-` tially normal to the surface of the handle lever 19. A journal pin 22 extends between the longitudinal ribs 4 and through the slots 21.

The ears Ztl extend forwardly from the journal pin 22 and their forward ends arejoined by a cross pin 23.A Iournaled on the cross pin 23 is a pair of links 24 slotted longitudinally, as indicated by 25, and extending along opposite sides `of the side flanges 12. The links 24 are pivotally connected to the side `flanges by a pin 26. Between the cross pin 23 and journal pin 22, the ears are notched as indicated by 27.

A fulcrum pin 26 exten-ds between the longitudinal ribs 4. The notched portions of the ears Ztl rest on the fuicrum pin 28 and permit initial pivotal movement of the handle lever 19 about the fulcrum pin within the limits determined by the slots 21. This permits initial tilting of the handle lever 19 by pressing on region 29 so that the opposite end may be lifted to draw the bolt to its releas` ing position. A spring 36 is wrapped about the journal pin 22 and hears against the handle lever 19 and fulcrum pin 28 so as to exert a force urging the handle lever to a position flush with the mounting plate 2, as shown best in Figs. l, 2, and 4.

The bolt 10 is adapted to cooperate with a keeper assembly which includes a keeper plate 31 from which `extends a pair of posts 32 defining a bolt slot 33. The frame or other mounting, in which the door or the like t is mounted, is notched to receive the posts 32. A cover plate 34 is secured to the posts of the keeper plate 31 by screws 35 so that the keeper plate Eil. and cover plate 34 may clamp the margin of the frame opening in which the keeper assembly is mounted. The keeper' plate may be provided with prongs 36 similar to the prongs 9 for securing the keeper plate 31 in place. A cushion or pad 37 may be cemented in position between the posts 32 for engagement by the bolt 10.

Operation ofthe flush latch construction shown in Figs.

` l to 5 is as follows:

The door and adjacent -frame'are slotted to accommodate respectively the longitudinal ribs 4 and the posts 32. It the door and its frame are of greater ,thicknessl the opposite end for manual engagement. The initial tilting of the handle lever 19 need not cause appreciable movement of the bolt due to the fact that this pivotal movement takes place around the axis of the fulcrum pin 28 within the limits of the slots 21. Upon further lifting of the handle lever, the handle lever pivots about the journal pin 22 so that the links 24 are drawn upwardly or outwardly and thereby withdrawing the bolt from the bolt slot 33.

The `slots 25' in the links 24 permit reciprocation of the bolt 1li without corresponding movement of the handle lever 19, so that the bolt may automatically snap in place, when the door is pushed shut, without operation of the handle lever 19.

Reference is now directed to the modified latch construction shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. The latch here shown is particularly adapted for relatively thin doors or panels. Its principal diierence from the first described structure is concerned with the manner in which the link members are connected to the bolt and the changes in proportion of the body structure which makes this possible. The modified latch construction includes a body structure 41 having a mounting plate 42. In this construction the body structure 41 is provided with a U-shaped rib 43, the extremities of which are thickened to form a bolt guide 44. The rib 43 is adapted to receive `a cover plate 45 held thereon by screws 46.

Slidably mounted between the bolt guides 44 and between the mounting plate 42 and cover plate 45 is a bolt 47 which, as in the first described structure, is formed of sheet metal and is channel-shaped to provide a web 48 and side ilanges 49. One end ofthe web is folded over the side iianges to form a cam face 50. The side flanges 49 are provided with slots 51 which receive a guide pin 52 corresponding to the guide pin 15 of the first described structure.

The side flanges 49 project rearwardly and receive a guide pin 53 which extends laterally through Islots 54 formed in the side llanges 49. A spring 55 connects the guide pins 52 and 53 so that the bolt 47 is yieldably held in an extended position.

As in the iirst described structure, the mounting plate 42 is provided with a relatively large handle slot occupying the space between the parallel portions of the rib 43. The handle slot receives a handle lever 56 in the form of a plate which, when in its fclosed position, is complementary to and flush with the mounting plate 42. The handle lever is provided with ears 57 which extend between and adjacent the parallel portions of the rib 43. The ears 57 are provided with slots 58 which receive a journal pin 59 extending between the rib portions. Also, as in the rst described structure, a cross pin 60 extends between the forward portions of the ears 57.

The cross pin 60journals a pair of link members 61, which extend forwardly toward the bolt 47 and are provided with slots 52. The guide pin53 of the bolt 47 extends through the slots 62 so as to operatively connect the links 61 with the bolt 47.

As in the first described structure, the rib portions 43 are connected by a fulcrum pin 63 located forwardly of the journal pin 59 and rearwardly of the cross pin 60. Between the journal pin 59 and cross pin 60 the ears 57 are notched, as indicated by 64, so that the handle lever 56 may fulcrum or rock over the pin 63 within the limits determined by the slots 58, this arrangement being similar to the first described structure.

A `spring 65 is wrapped about the journal pin 59 and is anchored to the fulcrum pin 63, and bears against the handle lever so as to urge the handle lever to its closed position, shown in Fig. 6.

Operation of the modified ush latch construction is the same as the first described structure. By reason of the fact that the links 61 are connected to the guide pin 53, the depth of the latch transversely to the direction of the movement of the bolt need not be appreciably greater than the transverse dimension of the bolt itself. As a consequence, the latch lends itself to mounting within relatively thin panels or doors.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the exact details of the constructions set forth, and it embraces such changes, modifications, and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A flush latch construction, comprising: a body structure including a mounting plate defining a handle slot and having parallel ribs bordering said slot; an escutcheon plate complementary to said mounting plate, said plates adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a door; screw means adapted to extend through the door to clamp said door between said plates; a latch bolt, a xed guide pin secured between said ribs, a movable guide pin secured to said bolt, slots in said bolt and ribs respectively to receive said guide pins for reciprocable guidance of said bolt; a spring extending between said pins for urging said bolt toward an extended position; a handle lever coextensive with said slot and having a secondary and a primary fulcrum means; a lost motion connection between said handle lever and said body structure and slidably receiving said secondary fulcrum means; and link means pivotally connecting said handle lever with said bolt; one end of said handle lever being depressible into said body structure within the limits of said lost motion connection to pivot said handle lever about said primary fulcrum means, thereby to raise the end of the handle lever opposite from said depressed end into a position for manual engagement.

2. A tlush latch construction, comprising: a body structure including a mounting plate dening a handle slot and having ribs bordering said slot; a latch bolt, a iixed guide pin secured between said ribs, a movable guide pin secured to said bolt, slots in said bolt and ribs respectively to receive said guide pins for reciprocable guidance of said bolt; a spring extending between said pins for urging said bolt toward an extended position; a handlelever coextensive with said slotand having a secondary anda primary fulcrum means; a lost motion connection between said handle lever and said body structure and slidably receiving said secondary fulcrum means; and link means pivotally connecting said handle lever with said bolt; one end of said handle lever being depressible into said body structure within the limits of said lost motion connection to pivot said handle lever about said primary fulcrum means, thereby to raise the end of the handle` lever opposite from said depressed end into a for manual engagement.

3. A ush latch as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said link means is connected to said 'bolt through said movable guide pin.

4. A llush latch as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said bolt is provided with journal lugs, and said link pivotally connected to said journal lugs.

5. A ilush latch construction, comprising: a body structure including a mounting plate defining a handle slot and having parallel ribs bordering said slot; an escutcheon plate complementary to said mounting-plate, said plates position adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of a door; screwv means is means adapted to extend through the door to clamp said door between said plates; a latch bolt, a lxed guide pin secured between said ribs, a movable guide pin secured to said bolt, slots in said bolt and ribs respectively to receive said guide pins for reciprocable guidance of said bolt; a spring extending between said pins for urging said bolt toward an extended position; coextensive with said slot and having a secondary and a primary fulcrum means; a lost motion connection between said handle lever and said body structure and slidably receiving said secondary fulcrum means; and link means pivotally connecting said handle lever with said bolt; one end of said handle lever being depressible into said body structure within the limits of said lost motion connection to pivot said handle lever about said primary fulcrum means, thereby to raise the end of the handle lever opposite from said depressed end into a position for manual engagement; said link mem- -bers arranged to occupy a position parallel with said bolt, when said handle lever is in its flush position, and including slot means in their connections with said bolt, to permit reciprocation of said bolt while said handle lever is in its closed position.

6. A flush latch as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said link means is connected to said bolt through said movabl guide pin.

7. A flush latch as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said bolt is provided with journal lugs, and said link means is pivotally connected to said journal lugs.

8. A ilush latch construction, comprising: a body struc ture having a handle slot therein; a handle lever dimensioned to fill and close said slot, said handle lever having a secondary fulcrum means near one end and a primary fulcrum means :between said secondary fulcrnm means and the remote end of said handle lever; a bolt slidably guided by said body structure; link means connecting said bolt and handle lever; and a lost motion connection be tween said handle lever and said ibody structure slidably receiving said secondary fulcrum means whereby the end of said handle lever adjacent said secondary fulcrum means may be depressed into said body structure to cause pivotal movement of said handle lever about said primary fulcrum means, to elevate the remote end of said handle lever for manual engagement prior to withdrawal of said bolt, said handle lever thereupon being pivotable about said secondary fulcrum means to withdraw said bolt.

9. A ush latch construction, comprising: a body structure having a handle slot therein; a handle lever dimensioned to ill and close said slot, said handle lever having a secondary fulcrum means near one end and a primary fulcrum means between said secondary fulcrum means and the remote end of said handle lever; a bolt slidably guided lby said body structure; link means connecting said bolt and handle lever; a lost motion connection between said handle lever and said body structure slidably receiving said secondary fulcrum means whereby the end adjacent said secondary fulcrum means may be depressed into said body structure to cause pivotal movement of said handle lever about said primary fulcrnm means, to elevate the remote end of said handle lever for manual engagement prior to withdrawal of said bolt, said handle lever thereupon being pivotable about'said secondary fulcrum means to withdraw said bolt; and spring means urging said secondary fulcrum means to an extreme of said lost motion connection and exerting a torque on said handle lever whereby said handle lever tends to occupy a position ilush with the surface of said body structure.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,256,992 Edgar et al Feb. 19, 1918 1,280,777 Linstrom Oct. 8, 1918 2,416,889 Andrews Mar. 4, 1947 2,721,750 Rudis et al Oct. 25, 1955 2,752,186 Morrison June 26, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 57,375 Denmark Mar. 11, 1940 

